About half of the group met at the church around 4:00, and we headed up the loop to the Wal-Mart at Epps Bridge.  Jonathan, Ko-D, and Derek decided to lead us in song, which was probably a bad idea from the get-go.  More on that later.  Anyway, we knew that serveral were going to meet us there (Seth, Erin, Phillip, Ethan, and James) [Jim's insert - ERIN is a brave 706 Warrior -ESS], so this group was going to be BIG.  I was actually worried about us getting kicked out of Wal-Mart.  I learned later as three of them were throwing a football over the top of the men’s clothing section that Wesley actually encouraged a couple of boys in the group to try to get kicked out of Wal-Mart.  I know he was joking, but they might not have thought this.

We got about $120 worth of merchandise from Wal-Mart, scanned everything ourselves, loaded it in my trunk, and took off to Academy Sports.  Some of the guys took turns riding the bike for the five year old across the parking lot.  How nobody is hurt, and how the bike is still in one piece, I’d like to know.  There are pictures of the bike rides that would probably incriminate us.

Academy wasn’t THAT bad…well…kinda.  This was supposed to be an in-and-out deal.  BUT, they saw the weightlifting equipment and treadmills.  Nobody died, but there were probably a couple of close calls. Thankfully I kept my camera in the car.  We then went to eat at Wendy’s on Epps Bridge, but this wasn’t really eventful.

The trip back to the church…ummm…I’m glad that it was dark outside so that nobody could see the activities taking place.  As we were leaving the parking lot, the three “heathens” started a chorus of “99 bottles of beer on the wall”, and they got down into the lower eighties before screwing things up.  I was also taking Seth home, and he looked like he was going to strangle all three of them.  He wanted to kill Derek and Jonathan more when they stripped down to their boxers for fun, and started to take pictures with their phones. [JIM INSERT - NOTE TO SELF - probably should have Edited that last line.]

With all of the craziness mentioned, it was still one of the most impactful things I’ve seen done in my 23 years on this planet.  These eight students donated their time and their money in order to make sure that this family wasn’t going to go “without” on Christmas in 2008.  I know a lot of people say that kids have changed.  They aren’t as “great” as they used to be, they say.  I beg to differ.  People try to focus on the negative sides of students in order to pump up THEIR generation.  When looking at the events of Sunday, I’d argue that they’ve already surpassed my generation of five-six years prior.  The Lord is doing great things with The 706, and it’s more impactful when you see it in front of you.

706 Small Group Leader – Jimmy Hughes

SUNDAY POST GAME

SUNDAY PRE-GAME

To say Sunday ROCKED would be an understatement. Sunday was one of THE BEST DAYS EVER in the history of Compass!

I’ll break up the highlights into 2 sections to keep it all straight.

#1 – SUNDAY MORNING HIGHLIGHTS

GOD SHOWED UP! We boldy went THERE and He showed up BIG TIME.

Sunday’s Talk about SEX is a MUST LISTEN for EVERY Middle & High School/College Student, EVERY Single, and EVERY Married couple in the WORLD. Most explicit, powerful, bold, in your face talk we’ve ever done! Click Here to get a recording of the message.

God wanted to help the Athens housing economy this week – I’ve heard several singles are looking for an apartment after telling their boyfriends one of them needed to move out – I love it! Way to go LADIES…some of you men need to “MAN UP” & lead the way in this!!

Statements/Emails/Text Highlights (40+ waiting in my inbox Monday):

…14 year old Teen: “I never knew till Sunday what I was doing was such a ‘punch in the face to God.’ I told my boyfriend ‘No More Sex’ and he could break up with me if he wanted because my #1 priority in life is now to PLEASE GOD with my life.”

…20 Something married: “..never so proud to sit in a church as I was on Sunday.”

…80+ year old lady: “My 2 grandsons were here…best message I’ve ever heard!”

…20 Something Single Mom: “in a conversation at work with a man contemplating cheating on his wife…I ran to my car, got my message notes from Sunday, told him he needed to go buy these books, call a counselor, and go home and talk with his WIFE and consult with GOD and not me!…He actually scheduled an appointment!!”

I told my family this story last night at the dinner table…MacKenzie, my 9 year old came over to me and asked me why I was crying – it brought me to tears again.

Compass – IF we will stay FAITHFUL & FOCUSED & BROKEN before God – what we are seeing is only the beginning. I continue to dream and ask God for THAT DAY to be THIS DAY & witness 3000 people Flip The Switch in one day!!

Oh…my favorite from Sunday: “I’ve never met a pastor with such testicular fortitude to talk about and handle a topic like that.”

We welcomed 40 First Time Guests – Blows Me Away!!

We Baptized 5 and had at least 7 that I know of Flipped The Switch!

I don’t get a break – THIS SUNDAY – Are We Living in the END TIMES!! – can’t wait.

#2 – VISION NIGHT @ NOHS

The ADRENALINE RUSH of talking with 150 Compass Servant Leaders looking out over the 1200 seat auditorium God graciously & miraculously provided for us to reach people in Oconee, Barrow, and Walton counties was UNEXPLAINABLE yet UNDENIABLE.

It was after 1 am that I finally fell asleep Sunday night!!

I feel to my knees pinching myself and saying to God:
‘THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for entrusting us with the largest auditorium in one of the Top 50 fastest growing regions of the country to connect with people and lead them to Jesus. You are so STINKIN’ AWESOME!”

“HELP, HELP, HELP – there’s NO WAY we can do this humanly speaking.”

We simply need 100 Volunteers and $250,000 in the next 3 months.
Can we do this? NO…Can God? ABSOLUTELY.
Just remember, He does His Best Work through people and if you’re reading this – it probably means He wants to use you!

Can I share a growing desire in my life and for this church? I don’t want us to ever attempt anything we’re capable of doing on our own. Why? Because then we can take all the credit. I want to see God do things in me, in you, and through this church that we are ABSOLUTELY INCAPABLE of so we can’t possibly take any credit for them…UNEXPLAINBLE humanly yet UNDENIABLY God.

Oconee Campus LAUNCH DATE – January 11th, 2009 (that will come quickly).

Click Here to sign up for the OC LAUNCH TEAM (FREE CHICK-FIL-A for 1st 50!):

Check back on Blog tomorrow for:
#1 – Answers to Text Questions I didn’t get to on Sunday
#2 – video/audio link to Sunday Keynote Vision Talk to get the most up-to-date OC Campus info (tomorrow)
#3 – Notes & Pictures – including Timeline and Launch Team Schedule from Sunday night (this week)
#4 – Video Tour of our new NOHS Campus (next week)

YES – there will be Live Teaching, Live Band, and rockin’ KIDS environment at BOTH OC & HW 29 campuses.

Had an INTENSE Planning meeting with STAFF – to launch, some really good things we’re doing in December we may have to say NO to (pray for wisdom). Think we’ve got the Jan ’09 Sunday service schedule figured out too…gotta make sure before we post.

CATALYST ROAD TRIP this week…BEST LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE I’ve ever been to for 40 and under. We’re taking 26 and helping as volunteers. My 6th year to go. Looking forward to hearing William Young, “The Shack” author speak.